Bielema to make Illini debut; Huskers’ Frost under pressure

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.» For an opener matching teams that have mostly finished at or near the bottom of the Big Ten West in recent years, Saturday's game between Nebraska and Illinois has major implications for both programs.

In Illinois' case, it marks Bret Bielema's return to the college ranks and the Big Ten. For Nebraska, it could be a watershed game as pressure mounts on fourthyear coach Scott Frost.

Bielema won two Big Ten titles and a share of a third in seven years at Wisconsin, then had a much less successful five-year run at Arkansas. He worked in the NFL three seasons before Illinois hired him in December to replace the fired Lovie Smith.

“They didn't know me from Adam,” Bielema said of his players. “All I said is, ”Here I am, let's get to know each other.' I would say there have been moments of high stress but also moments of levity and fun.

"I know this, walking off that field on Saturday we'll know a lot about who we are by the actions of our four quarters and how we react to moments of adversity as well as success.”

Frost is 12-20 in three seasons since his celebrated return to his home state and alma mater, which he quarterbacked to a national championship in 1997. The Cornhuskers have finished no higher than fifth in the West under Frost, and they enter this season under the cloud of an NCAA investigation into alleged improper on-field coaching by a staff member who had been hired as an analyst.

Frost said his team is “laser-focused” for the Illini, who beat the Huskers 41-23 in Lincoln last year. Nebraska committed five turnovers in that game.

“There are some challenges to playing a team that has a new staff," he said. "We did not play very well against them last year. We made some mistakes. We need to play better this year. I think the guys are locked in on that.”